Former president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, on trial for corruption, says he has been barred from leaving the country by police.

Critic of former president Aziz Limam Chafi returns from exile. Under the new president, Mohamed Ould Ghezouani, many opposition figures have been allowed to return.

Former president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz is arrested on corruption charges.

Mauritania says it has no cases of COVID-19.

Mauritius confirms its first case of COVID-19.

Mauritania has managed to contain militant Islamist activity, through increased spending on the military and better treatment of soldiers, including sending their pay directly to a bank rather than through officers. Border security has also intensified, especially with Mali. There has also been wide-ranging attempt to prevent youth from becoming recruits. The government has given nomadic groups more recognition and economic support. There are rumors of a secret agreement between jihadists and the government, but they have never been supported.

ECOWAS countries pledge $1 billion to fight jihadi violence in the Sahel.

Ghazouani wins 51% of the vote. It is the first peaceful transfer of power in Mauritania.

Opposition campaigning despite concerns that election will be slanted toward the ruling Union for the Republic party (UPR). The UPR candidate, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, is a longtime ally of Abdel Aziz and is leading in the polls. His main challenger is Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubacar, candidate of the Islamist Tewassoul party and supported by powerful businessman Mohamed Ould Bouamatou. Boubacar hopes to win enough votes to force a runoff. Three other candidates are running, though they are showing low support in polls.

Opposition parties threaten to withdraw from 6/19 election over a dispute about the composition of the election commission. They demand that the current commission be dissolved.

Opposition RFD party leader Ahmed Ould Daddah denounces electoral commission and says local election results were falsified.

Opposition rejects legitimacy of voting results. Results so far show that the ruling party is leading or has won a plurality of seats and offices.

Local and regional elections in Mauritania.

France, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger form an anti-jihadist military alliance called the G5.